Custom Build Annexe floor plans can be as versatile as you need them to be but there are a few keys to making them successful.
1. Creating The Right Flow
A term you’ll see frequently used when it comes to designing homes and annexes is flow.
One of the keys to successful annexe design is a floor plan that increases the enjoyment of living in the space by creating a nice flow between rooms and spaces.
This can be achieved by thinking about the position of the main living area and connecting rooms and how they will be used every day.
Or with the layout and colour palette of the annexe design throughout, including the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom to create a coordinated flow between them.
As most garden annexe designs tend to have an open plan living space as a central starting point, our annexe consultants work with you to take into account the orientation of your annexe and how it is likely to used every day by the new annexe owner.
We can help you design your perfect annexe floor plan as part of our on site consultation service.
2. Designed To Fit Your Lifestyle & Priorities
Our aim is simple when it comes to custom build on site annexes. We want to help you design an annexe that is right for you and addresses your main priorities.
- Annexe size, access and orientation
- Care needs & adaptations
- Easy to maintain / low maintenance
- Choice of interior and exterior design finishes to suit your individual style preferences.
Not many people get the chance to design a floor plan from scratch and it can be quite daunting to know where to start.
We’ll help you think about the overall space available and the relationship between the rooms in your annexe and how you will be using them to help make sure it’s a perfect match.
Simple connections to make sure your floor plan works for you are planning the kitchen & dining space close to each other and making sure the bedroom has easy access to the bathroom and wardrobe area or dressing room.
3. Size & Proportion Matters
Most garden annexes are around 60 to 65 square metres in area or less which means when it comes to designing your floor plan you will need to think carefully about each room size and how it fits into the overall floor plan.
One of the biggest considerations for a lot of people is whether they need one or two bedrooms.
When space is precious, our best advice is to opt for one bedroom wherever possible as it is more in proportion to the overall size of the annexe.
Another tip is to plan your furniture in proportion to the size of the room.
A very successful example of this is our recent case study in Newcastle Under Lyme that demonstrates this beautifully. With it’s perfectly proportioned armchair and sofa in the living space, the area still looks light & spacious.
We have dozens and dozens of floor plans to draw inspiration from and we supply all the relevant room sizes on your plan to help you place furniture items.
Start with the largest items in each (usually the sofa) and work from there.
4. Style Vs Practicality
Google is a fascinating place where you can find inspiration in just a few clicks, and research all sorts of wonderful new gadgets & gizmos, windows & doors and construction materials that are frequently found in magazines such as Grand Designs Magazine.
There is a fine line between self-building your own home and designing an annexe.
Some aspects are similar but annexes by their very nature have to be:-
- Ancillary to the main house
- Smaller than the main house
- Sub-ordinate to the main house
- Close to the main house
You get the idea.
So whilst that leaves you plenty of scope for your interior design skills to shine, annexes are not typically going to allow you to unleash the Kevin Mc Cloud in you and design a floor plan that looks like a mini Grand Designs project.
If you have something larger in mind, then the Caravan Act is your best route for permission to build.
We can advise you of all that during our on site consultation service.
5. The Ideal Floor Plan Is The One That’s Right For You
When it comes to designing the ideal floor plan, especially for a garden annexe, you usually have the enviable choice of where the annexe is sited and which aspect the main living area will face.
Will it catch the morning, afternoon or evening sun?
Which elevation may need more privacy from neighbours to consider?
Which is the best place to site the front door?
Do I want one bedroom or two?
Do I need a study?
What about a Utility?
Decking outside the living area?
Once you start the process of designing your ideal annexe floor plan you’ll either fall in love with the process of find yourself overwhelmed by it all.
That’s where we come in.
If you want expert advice to call upon when it comes to this all important part of designing your perfect garden annexe, we can help!
Our custom build annexe service is designed to do exactly that and more.
If You Are Thinking About Building A Garden Annexe Or Installing A Lodge In Your Garden & Don’t Know Where To Start Talk To Us First!
We’re available to discuss all aspects of your project:
- Planning Permission
- Floor plans
- Mains Services & Connections
- Sizes
- Styles Available
- Budgets & Costings
- Commercial lease options available (not available for residential lodges)
All you have to do is CONTACT US.
If you want a friendly chat about your project over a cup of tea, try us out!
With the Summer days with us now outdoor & social distancing is so much easier!
You’ve got nothing to lose & everything to gain.
Stay safe and we’ll be glad to assist you in anyway we can.
Until then, all the best!
